Visual Arts
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CFA AR 121: Foundation Sculpture
In this course, the students explore extensively the fundamentals of 3D design and construction while cultivating the capacity for visual and critical thinking. The students investigate the structural, compositional and conceptual roles of basic materials. A variety of techniques are used to articulate projects in three dimensions and to address fundamental ideas and issues that define the role of art and design in the community and the society we inhabit. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, The Individual in Community, Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA AR 123: Foundation Design: Introductory Principles, Practices
This course introduces the basic principles of design, composition, and form making. We will investigate these principles holistically, beginning with their historical origination, spanning to contemporary usage, and finally in the context of your own visual arts practice. Digital and multimedia tools are introduced, and students will select the most appropriate tools for the specific design expression. Projects and class meetings will be structured to help you develop a design process and critique skills. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Digital/Multimedia Expression. -
CFA AR 131: Drawing 1- Majors
Drawing based on analysis and observation. Study of perception and proportion to establish spatial and volumetric implications. Use of line, shape and value in the context of visual description of various motifs, still life, landscape and the human figure. -
CFA AR 132: Drawing One: Drawing as Visual Language
AR 132 Drawing One is a four-credit studio course designed to equip students with the formal elements of the language of drawing, and the ability to make independent critical decisions about their creative work and the works of others. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Oral and/or Signed Communication. -
CFA AR 141: Foundation Painting
This studio course emphasizes 2-d composition and direct painting in oil. Exercises in representing still life, interior, and portrait introduce basic principles of drawing, composition, and color interaction. Working with specific limited color palettes acquaints the student with systems of color proportion and their role in creating a believable pictorial space and color light. Exercises in color mixing, preparing supports, and caring for tools and equipment, introduce technical and craft considerations. Individual and group critiques, slide presentations, and occasional assigned readings complement regular studio class meetings. 4.0 Credits -
CFA AR 192: Intro to Drawing
An introductory class for non majors to explore materials and methods of descriptive drawing. No previous experience required. 2 cr. -
CFA AR 193: Visual Arts Drawing
A studio course that introduces the student to the materials and methods of descriptive drawing. The sequence of study is devoted primarily to working from the human figure, but there is also some work done from still-life subjects and from the imagination. Class assignments are related to analyses of master drawings. Two three-hour studio sessions each week. Preference given to students who have completed CFA AR 191. Not applicable to the BFA degree 4.0 Credits. -
CFA AR 221: Sculpture 2
Students will be challenged to improve upon skills learned in Sculpture I, with more emphasis on new techniques and various materials as well as investigating how to communicate ideas through form. Students will sculpt from direct observation, and create a series of original compositions. Class will involve study of sculpture throughout history as it relates to students' own works and contemporary art as a whole. -
CFA AR 223: Installation Art: Subject-Object Relationship in the Contemporary Landscape
This class investigates the fundamental elements of spatial-temporal relationships in Installation Art. We will explore how new media and the three-dimensional language of the contemporary world shifts the subject-object relationship instilled in sculpture since the 1960's. This intermediate, portfolio-building class involves completion of one body of work with the objective of expanding and advancing students' already existing methodologies, technical skills, vocabulary and critiquing abilities. This is a non-medium-specific studio class, which includes video as a medium: student will learn the technical, historical and conceptual implications of mixed-media art production and understand these within a broad context of contemporary art. 4cr -
CFA AR 225: Sophomore Graphic Design Fall: Form-Making, Communication
Sophomore graphic design focuses on form making and conceptual problem solving. Image Making techniques will be explored and integrated into graphic design contexts. Conceptual problem solving will be examined according to how forms suggest meaning. A student is expected to build upon the skills developed during foundation year to generate innovative and inventive form in both analog and digital formats. Static and dynamic design solutions will be explored. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Digital/Multimedia Expression. -
CFA AR 226: Sophomore Graphic Design Spring: Form, Communication
Students will investigate how ideas and messages can be interpreted visually through a variety of projects. Form--content relationships will be the context for all projects. Students will study the broad concepts of denotation and connotation through projects including information design, communication through proxy and juxtaposition and communication through symbols, metaphor and metonymy. Static and dynamic design solutions will be explored.Open to undergraduate sophomore graphic design students. This is a required course for graphic design majors. -
CFA AR 236: Anatomy and Figure Drawing
Drawing analysis of the human figure with emphasis on anatomical structure; study of the skeleton and muscle groups as they affect volume and surface definition. Drawing from the living model, prepared skeleton, and anatomical casts; as well as compositional work from memory. -
CFA AR 238: Drawing Concepts
Discussion of a broad range of drawing issues, including drawing from memory, and from secondary sources. Introduction of subjects explored in non-representational drawing traditions. Drawing process will be emphasized through a study of drawing media- such as water-based inks and paints, collage, and pastel- to address both aesthetic and technical concerns. 4.0 credits. -
CFA AR 239: Figure Drawing
The focus of this class will be to teach students to think and understand the principles of drawing as a visual language. Class will involve an in-depth study of the human figure. Students will make a series of drawings and sketches in a variety of mediums, including graphite, charcoal, conte, ink, etc. Students will study from a live model, and will use the human figure as a vehicle to better understand the fundamentals of organic form, proportion, and balance. -
CFA AR 241: Painting II
This studio course emphasizes direct painting in oil. Exercises in representing still life, landscape, portrait, and figure elaborate principles of drawing, composition, color, and technique. Discussions of historical color systems for representing light and shadow, and assignments with limited color palettes will introduce dialogue concerning both perceptual and conceptual approaches to representational painting. Individual and group critiques, demonstrations and presentations, museum and gallery visits, and selected readings complement the regular studio class meetings. -
CFA AR 242: Painting 3
Painting from life in oil and other techniques. Emphasis on the description of the figure. Work from memory. This is a required course for painting majors. -
CFA AR 250: Introduction to Printmaking
This printmaking course covers relief, monotype, and basic etching. Utilizing drawing, design, color, layering, and mark students create independent work within the context of historical and contemporary printmaking. Set in a cooperatively operated printmaking workshop, students complete collaborative and independent projects, and think creatively and critically. Learning creative collaboration is a key element of Intro to Printmaking, a valuable experience for all art students beyond the particular technical and studio skills. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CFA AR 251: Introduction to Printmaking (2 credits) Spring term
This survey course introduces the printmaking processes of relief and monotype. Concepts of design, image development, color layering and experimentation, and mark making are emphasized. Students will use these skills to produce independent work, and think creatively. Open to the University. -
CFA AR 261: Introduction to Art Education
This course is designed to introduce students to a range of ideas and philosophies that support teaching visual art in public education. Participants develop artistic literacy, appreciation, and ways to respond to visual art, as well as approaches to creation and presentation. In addition to studio processes, readings and discussions, students identify strategies for enhancing observation skills, thinking critically about art, as well as presenting, responding, and connecting aesthetics, culture, the learner's needs, and curriculum frameworks at local, state, and national levels. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. -
CFA AR 270: Bookmaking Techniques
For the poet, writer or creative person who wants to produce works of art realized in the form of a book, this course will explore methods of binding from the simple to the complex. Although the course will rely on skill building in bookmaking, it will also discuss conceptual ideas for books, how book design augments ideas and the necessity of craftsmanship. Some history of the book will be discussed as will archival materials and outlets for self-published one-of-a-kind books today. Open to the BU Community. 2.0 credits